Trim separation

ABSTRACT

An automated glass cutting and finishing line is disclosed having stations for glass scoring, stripping and prepositioning for pickup so the glass may be carried to a grinding or edge treating station. The prepositioning station is provided with a mechanism for raising a glass template above the trim pieces, the mechanism operates through a flexible canvas conveyer belt used to support the glass between and in the stations as well as permit permeation of vacuum pressure. Another mechanism is adapted to sense the existence of glass defects and hangers as the template arrives in the raised plane; the latter mechanism relocates the template in the raised plane to a new predetermined position for accurate pickup by a mechanical robot engaging the template only through the use of suction cups. The robot places the template on another suction-type holding mechanism which rotates the template for full edge grinding.

Johnson et 21.

Oct. 21, 1975 1 1 TRIM SEPARATION [75] Inventors: Roger E. Johnson,Westland; .loe Y.

Sawai, Dearborn Hts, both of Mich [73] Assignee: Ford Motor Company,Dearborn,

Mich,

{221 Filed: June 26, 1974 1211 Appl. No: 483,199

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser No. 368,399, June 8.1973, Pat.

[52] U.S.C1 1.51/5 C;51/101R;51/165,74 [51] Int. Cl. B24B 9/10; B24849/00 [58] Field ofSearch .1 51/5 R, 5 C, 101 R, 105 R,51/165t74,165.91, 283

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,601,264 8/1971 Ritter214/1 BH 3,785,507 1/1974 Wieslcr 1 1 1 t 1 1 1 214/1 BH 3,800,4774/1974 Jendrisak 1 t 4 .1 51/283 X 3,827,189 8/1974 Highberg 51/283 XPrimary E.taminerDonald G Kelly Attorney, Agent, or Firmloseph WMalleck; Keith L, Zerschling [57] ABSTRACT An automated glass cuttingand finishing line is dis closed having stations for glass scoring,stripping and prepositioning for pickup so the glass may be carried to agrinding or edge treating station. The prepositioning station isprovided with a mechanism for raising a glass template above the trimpieces, the mechanism operates through a flexible canvas conveyer beltused to support the glass between and in the stations as well as permitpermeation of vacuum pressure. Another mechanism is adapted to sense theexistence of glass defects and hangers as the template arrives in theraised plane; the latter mechanism relocates the template in the raisedplane to a new predetermined posi tion for accurate pickup by amechanical robot engaging the template only through the use of suctioncups. The robot places the template on another suction-type holdingmechanism which rotates the template for full edge grinding.

3 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet 1 of83,913,272

\ k \N i U.S. Patent Oct.21, 1975 Sheet2of8 3,913,272

US. Patent Oct.21, 1975 Sheet 3 of8 3,913,272

U.S. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet 5 of8 3,913,272

U.S. Patent Get. 21, 1975 Sheet 6 of8 3,913,272

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 7 of8 3,913,272

US. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet 8 of8 3,913,272

TRIM SEPARATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This is a division of Ser.No. 368.399. filed June 8, I973. now US. Pat. No. 3.860,l 25.

Heretofor, certain steps of a glass cutting line have been mechanicallycarried out. but have required a controller for positioning of the workpiece as well as observation and manual monitoring of defects. Anexample of the degree of automation utilized for glass cutting lines isillustrated in US. Patent Nos. 3,520,457, 3,532,259 and 3,520,456. Mostnoted in the prior art lines is the close adherence to a straightin-line system with total reliance upon a manual operator for taking thecut template and performing subsequent operations. Total automation of aglass cutting line has been an important goal for several reasons:increased output can result if the line rate is not limited to manualobservation and control; the cost per piece can be reducedsubstantially; and keener sensing of defects can be assured at fasterrates than that obtained by manual operation.

One of the principal problems with automating a glass cutting andgrinding line, is a differential production rate between currentgrinding equipment and glass cutting equipment. This necessitates out ofline positioning of the grinding equipment relative to the cuttingequipment and requires mechanical means for transporting the workpiecebetween these different stations. Mechanical equipment that is capableof carrying the workpiece between such stations requires precise pickuppositioning so that the same equipment can locate the workpiece for thegrinding equipment without the need for manual inspection. Thetransporting mechanism (using a desirable canvas belt permeated byvacuum) for the glass cutting portion of the line is not sufficient toretain accurate location of the glass for automatic transportation tothe grinding equipment.

Another principal problem is the possibility of damae to the grindingequipment that may result by improper cutting and stripping performed inthe in-line portion of the process. For a machine cutting and grindingline to become completely automated, the consistency of the cutting andstripping must be mechanically monitored so that improperly strippedparts will not impede the flow of parts or damage the downstreamequipment. For design purposes, the automatic cutting line is consideredto be no greater than 95% reliable and the failure will be manifested atthe prepositioning station by having edge-trim connected to the glasstemplate, called glass hangers. Other defects may arise either inconnection with electrical or mechanical failures. For example, thecutting wheel may have become worn through continuous use and therebyresult in inadequate scoring. A vent score particularly may open intothe template resulting in a missing corner or broken template. The ventcutting wheels and resulting scores are contemplated to be somewhat lessreliable than 100% and therefore it is inevitable that some trim willoccasionally be slightly affixed to the template. Accordingly, it isimportant that such defects be sensed by the in-line equipment beforetransfer of the workpiece to the grinding station. Mechanical equipmentmust be provided that will remove lightly attached edge trim from thetemplate prior to the placement in the grinder; trim that is rigidlyattached to the template must be sensed by such equipment to preventdownstream damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal object of this invention is toprovide an improved apparatus which is effective to receive cutglassbrackets, separate the template from the trim and sense for imperfectseverance as well as other defects in the glass template.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whichis effective to receive a glass template from an in-line cuttingoperation and precisely locate the template for pick-up by a mechanicalrobot for carriage to an off-line grinding station.

Yet still another object of this invention is to provide an automatedglass cutting and grinding line which is effective to increase the rateof production over that known today, reduce the defects and flawsresulting from such a glass operation, and provide full automated edgegrinding treatment to the glass template for reduction in breakageduring service.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic layout of aglass cutting and finishing line embodying the principles of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a glass separating table embodying a part ofthe invention herein;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a guaging and prepositioning apparatusembodying another part of the invention herein;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 6, havingcertain portions thereof broken away;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of theapparatus illustrated in FIG. 6, certain portions thereof being shown incross-section;

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged plan view of one of the front guagingdevices illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8having certain portions thereof broken away;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along line l0l0 of FIG.8;

FIG. 11 is a greatly enlarged plan .view of a rear guaging deviceillustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is front elevational view of the apparatus in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along line I3l3 of FIG.11;

FIG. 14 is a greatly enlarged plan view of a leading guaging device asillustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 14',and

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1, there is illustrated an overallschematic sequence for a preferred method of scoring and cutting plateglass of the type which is useful in automative vehicles. The methodessentially comprises five distinct work stations along with auxiliarywork areas for trim disposal, vertical washing and inspection. Thefollowing will proceed to discuss each of the essential work stations insequence so as to give an overall review of a commercial cutting linewithin which the inventive improvement becomes a part thereof.

In station 1, a glass bracket is manually loaded by an operator 12 froma supply 13 onto a porous canvas conveyer belt 11; gentle handling isfacilitated by the use of floatation air directed upwardly through theconveyer belt to assist the operator in positioning the bracket againstcertain side and end stops (not shown). When located, the glass bracketedges contact limit switches which can be positioned on the side of theend stops. Upon such contact, floatation air is automatically turnedoff. The glass bracket, resting fully upon the conveyor belt, can now beworked upon by automatic equipment in station 1 (not shown), comprisingan overhead scoring head which will apply a pattern of vent cuts 15 andmay imprint a trademark upon the glass. When the automatic equipmentcompletes its task, a signal is sent to a belt indexing circuitindicating that the station 1 is clear for the workpiece to be indexedto station 2.

ln station 2, an intricate or compound template cut 16 may be impressedupon the glass bracket inside of the vent cuts 15 which have beenpreviously applied in the first station. The bracket is vacuum clampedthrough the conveyer belt at the same time the pneumatic cutting head 17(carried on a double pivot arm assembly 18) is lowered and a cutting oilsolenoid is energized to supply cutting oil. The assembly 18 is carriedupon a movable frame 19 which lowers down onto the belt about the glassbracket. On completion of the template scoring pattern, a signal isinitiated to remove the air pressure to the cutting head as well as thevacuum which has been clamping the glass bracket to the belt.Additionally, a signal is sent to the belt index circuit indicating thetemplate cutting station is clear for indexing the scored bracket to thevacuum stripping station 3.

In station 3, a mechanical frame 20, supporting a neoprene flexiblediaphragm is lowered down onto the scored glass bracket. A seal ring islocated on and about the four edges of the station bed. Vacuum isapplied through holes in the stripping station bed plate and a wire meshspacer distributes the vacuum upwardly through openings in a strippingaid and thus through the conveyer belt to act against the diaphragm. Thediaphragm is sucked downwardly with sufficient force to bend the glassbracket at the scores. Bending stress is imparted to the glass bracketat predetermined locations by use of the stripping aid which definesfulcrum points or stress risers at which the uniform surface pressure ofthe diaphragm will cause bending. As the evacuation proceeds,atmospheric pressure against the top of the diaphragm will force thetemplate into intimate contact with the conveyer belt such that thestress risers of the stripping aid will cause the template scores toopen in advance of the vent scores. Upon completion of stripping, thevacuum supply valve will vent the stripping station connections toatmosphere; the diaphragm frame is then free to be raised clear of theglass bracket as well as the belt. As soon as the frame 20 is raisedcarrying the diaphragm, a signal is sent to the belt index circuitindicating that the stripping station is clear for movement to thestation 4 for unloading and prepositioning.

ln station 4, with the glass template surrounded slightly spaced fromloose trim, a raising mechanism is employed beneath the canvas belt forelevating only the template 16. Certain problems are experienced in thisparticular portion of the commercial line and are related to thepossibility of portions of the glass trim not being sufficiently severedfrom the glass template. Various circumstances can be responsible forthe inability of a completely or accurately severed glass template suchas: (a) inadequate cooling of the glass during manufacture such thatlocal portions of the glass have a different cutting resistance, (b)small glass grit may become wedged within the scored groove preventingthe scored locations to be in proper tension or com pression as the casemay require, and (c) gradual wear of the cutting or scoring wheel maygive rise to inadequately scored glass, In addition and mostsignificant, is the tendency for the glass bracket position to beslightly out of tolerance since the only mechanism holding the glassbracket in position is its ability to ride on the canvas belt and beclamped by vacuum at various locations along the line. In order for amechanical robot 25 to operate with mechanical preciseness betweenstation 4 and a grinding machine (station 5) which requires extremeaccuracy in positioning for ap propriate grinding, the glass bracket notonly must be free of glass hangers, but must also be precisely locatedfor pickup. To accomplish these dual goals and provide for a trulyautomated line, the invention herein provides an apparatus combinationwhich overcomes these difficulties.

In station 4, the stripped bracket is elevated to a position above thesevered trim. This is accomplished by an elevating plate which carries aplurality of fixed fingers 26 tailored for the specific template beingcut. As the template is raised, a pattern of fixed and movable locators27, in the raised plane, are adapted to engage the edges of the templateand simultaneously determine the existence of glass hangers, removethem, and shift the glass template to a new predetermined position forreception by the mechanical robot 25. The mechanical robot, grasping thetemplate only by way of suction cups 28, is then given a signal toremove the template and carry it to an out-of-line station 5 where anautomatic grinding operation is carried out to give a full finished edgeto the complete pattern of the template. The mechanical robot canposition the template at either one of two grinding stations 5 to keepthe flow of material going at a predetermined rate along the in-linecutting.

ln station 5, the template is placed upon a rotatable apparatus 29which, after determining the position of the template, will bring thearcuate edges of the template against a camming apparatus containing thegrinding mechanism 30. Upon completion of the grinding step, themechanical robot will reverse its rotation and carry the template backto a position above, but in line with the prepositioning station, wherea conveyer belt 31 is available to move the completed glass bracket to asecond in-line flow path 32 for accomplishing such auxiliary processingsteps as vertical washing and inspection. The unload conveyer 31 indexesthe template to a tip-up assembly 33 where it receives a signal that itis cleared for a new part. The tip-up assembly vacuum clamps thetemplate by suction cups 34, rotates and waits for a clearance signalfrom the vertical washer conveyer (not shown). The suction cups areextended and the template is air blown followed by a deposit on path 32.With the suction cups 34 retracted and the tip-up assembly returned, itsends a signal to the unload conveyer to index the next template.

Separated trim 35 is indexed to the end of the conveyer belt 14 andfalls into a collection bin 36.

ELEVATING EQUIPMENT The principle evolved by this invention to overcomethe prior art problems, comprises the use ofa template elevatingmechanism and an elevated guaging mechanism into which the glasstemplate is urged by way of the elevating mechanism. The elevatingequipment comprises a plate 40 having arranged thereon on array ofpushers 41 each preferably about one inch in diameter and adapted to bethreadably placed in a convenient pattern under the template area suchthat as the plate 40 is raised, only the area of the belt beneath thecontoured template will be urged upwardly.

The template lift assembly is constructed so that the individual liftfingers can be relocated outside of the machine base by manuallywithdrawing the lift plate from the station area. The bed plate ofstation 4 contains an equal number of clearance holes to match thenumber of lift fingers or posts on the template lift plate. In thepreferred embodiment, there is approximately 198 openings and fingerlocations, each spaced two inches apart in two directions of the liftplate plane. The normal lift travel for the plate is about of an inchwhich results in clearing the template from the trim by approximately3/16 of an inch.

The top of the fingers or pushers 41 are flush with the top of thestation bed plate 42 when they are in the retracted position (as shownin FIG. 3). Each of the pushers or fingers 41 are threadably andselectively inserted in one of a pattern of threaded openings 43arranged about the plate 40. Plate 40 is carried within a pair of edgetracks 60 for slide out removal. The tracks in turn are supported on atubular horizontally disposed framework 61 having cross tubes 62. Adouble-acting hydraulic cylinder assembly 44 is arranged to operatecentrally beneath the plate 40 and is connected to the framework 61 byslotted bracket 46 receiving a member 63 attached to the piston rod 45.One piston 44a of the assembly operates to elevate the plate 40(preferably through a distance of about 54 inch) and the other piston44b operates to lower the plate 40 below the retracted position ofpiston 44a for clearing other structure. A detent latch 64 is used tolock the plate 40 in place in the tracks 60. A handle 65 is used duringsliding movement of plate 40. An adjustable stop 67 limits slidingmovement in one direction of plate 40.

To insure that the plate 40 maintains a horizontal position throughoutits elevating movement, stabilizing linkage 47 is employed. The linkagecomprises a pair of arms 48 and 49 at side of the mechanism; each armhas an end connected to a fixed pivot (either secured to the plate 40 orto a support plate 50) and an opposite end connected to a common pivot51. Upon movement of plate 40 as actuated by the piston assembly, thelinkage will move within a vertical plane along a side of the elevatingapparatus. A cross bar 52 connects the common pivots of each of thestabilizing assemblies at each side so that they work in unison toassure the horizontal attitude. Limit controls for operating the pistonassembly comprise an up-limit switch or control 54 and a down limitswitch or control 55 mounted upon a support 56; a camming member 57carried on a support 58 depending from a pad 66 attached to framework 61moves the cam so that, when the plate has traversed the proper distanceto allow the glass template to assume the predetermined raised plane.the up-limit control 54 will be actuated to indicate such for othermechanisms. Similarly, when the plate 40 is returned to its loweststarting position by piston 44a, lower limit control 55 will be actuatedto indicate such to other mechanisms.

Also a cam follower 68 is carried on a member 69 depending fromframework 61; the follower rides in a slot 70 on a member 71 to assistin straight vertical movement of plate 40.

GUAGING MECHANlSM The guaging mechanism (shown in FIG. 5) is acombination sensing, trim removal and template relocation apparatus.Trim that is rigidly attached to the template is sensed by thisequipment to prevent damage to the grinder. Also a template with aportion broken away is sensed so that the grind cycle will not start ifthe broken out section occurs at the location where the guagingmechanism will contact the template. It is preferable that suchlocations be at least three in number. However, a broken out sectiontemplate which does not coincide with the areas of contact by thesensing mechanism is of no concern and need not be sensed by thisequipment since it will not affect the grinder; it can be passed throughthe process to be culled out at some later inspection station. [f thetemplate is broken in the area surrounding the vacuum cups 28 ascontacted by the robot, the brakes probably will cause a loss of vacuum,and a vacuum switch on the robot will signal equipment to ceaseoperation and activate a warning device. The mechanism detects theexcess glass or glass hangers to an accuracy of about plus or minus 1/30of an inch at the locator points.

The guaging apparatus is supported on a lifting frame 72 comprised oftubular members rigidly formed into a rectangular configuration. On topof each longitudi nal tube is a t-slotted bar 73; At the ends,transverse tslotted bars 74 are attached as movable cross-piecesoverlapping the bars 73. A rigid cross-piece 75 is used also at theextreme ends of bars 73 which is not movable and completes another framewith bars 73. Adjustable and pneumatically operable locator assemblies76 and 77 are mounted on the rear bar 73; a leading edge locatorassembly 78 is mounted on cross-bar 74 and cooperates with assemblies76-77 to.form a three-point reference for locating a corner of thetemplate. Positioner assemblies 79 and 80 for the rear side of thetemplate are mounted on front bar 73; rear edge positioner assembly ismounted on rear cross-bar 74. The positioner assemblies are actuated tonot only move into engagement with the other edges of the template, butcontinue moving so as to shift the template so that the far edges willcontact the locator assemblies. The hypothetical rectangle 82 (in FIG.5) represents the small template the guaging apparatus will accommodateand hypothetical rectangle 83 represents the largest template that canbe accommodated.

The guaging apparatus is raised (for positioning of glass thereunder) bya plurality of vertically disposed hydraulic cylinders 84, each mountedby a bracket 85 on a leg 86 of the rigid supporting table structure forthe in-line processing (which includes framework 61). The piston rods 87are connected to pads 88 connected to tubular frame 72. To insure thatframe 72 and over' frame 73-75 relates accurately to the framework 61when positioning is demanded, conically shaped locator pins 89 areadapted to nest in complimentary open ings 90 on the framework 61.

The near side of the template or front side is located by a pair ofpositioning assemblies 76 and 77, each equipped with an individualsensor which will indicate a chipped or broken template. Thesepositioning asemblies are operated through a common actuator to avoidone positioner contacting the template edge before the other. To thisend, both positioners are connected individually by a common bar 93. Thecross-bar 93 is movable to and from the glass template by virtue of anactuating assembly which is comprised of a camming bar 92 carried forarcuate movement. An hydraulic piston 98 is located so as to have atengential movement for contacting a link fastened to the actuator bar.

The nose of each of the positioners is equipped with a free rollingnylon wheel 89. The wheel is journalled in a bracket which in turn issupported by a plurality of extension bars each passing through asupporting block, the supporting block having a depending member to fitfor sliding movement in a t-shaped slot of a lower track.

Each of the positioning assemblies has an air cylinder used for twopurposes, namely, actuating the positioner to an end position and alsohaving an end position limit switch. When not energized, it willindicate that there is excessive glass material attached to the templateand the guaging mechanism will reject it as not acceptable forsubsequent grinding. The positioner travel is here preferably limited toa 9% inch stroke and a resistance relay type sensor is used forindicating a chipped or broken template. The sensors have a sensing spanof approximately plus or minus 9i; of an inch.

As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the front positioner assemblies 76 and 77 eachcomprise a slidable block 84 adapted to fit on top of the frontt-slotted bar 73. The block may be fabricated from a flat steel plate84a on which is welded a smaller stepped block 84b having definedtherein a groove 85 transverse to the extent of bar 73. Threadedfasteners 86 having a t-shaped catch 86a extend through openings 87 andsecure plate 84a at a selected position along bar 73. Adjustment in theother direction (transverse to bar 73) is provided by having the arm 88(carrying the glass template contacting element 89) defined as a channelslidable in groove 85. Suitable threaded fasteners 90 insure the arm 88is guided relative to the block 84.

A slot 91 is defined in arm 88 so that the predetermined stroke ofelement 89 may be carried out (arm 88 sliding in groove 85). The arms 88of both assemblies 76 and 77 are actuated simultaneously for stroking bya camming bar 92 (see P10. 7). Rod 92 is arcuately moved by a mechanicalassembly 93; rod 92 fits within a slot 93 in the underside of member 94attached to each of the arms 88. The assembly 93 comprises anotherlarger bar 95 journalled for rotation about its own axis in a housing96. An actuating arm 97, fixed to bar 95, is actuated for rotation by ahydraulic piston assembly 98 (mounted on a leg carried on the guagingapparatus to stop rods 111 attached to ride therewith).

The glass engaging element 89 is carried on arm 88 by way of a pivotedbracket 99 movable between two plates 100 and 101; the bracket ispivoted about pin 102 carried on said plates. The plates 100 and 101 aresecured to a member 103 which in turn is welded on arm 88. A spring 104is used to urge the bracket 89 toward the glass template; the springmust be overcome thereby providing a positive force signalling properpositioning of the template against the locator assemblies 79 and 80. inaddition, the spring and bracket take up slightly oversized parts. Astop 105 limits the degree of movement against spring 104. Accessopening 106 is provided to install the spring and stop. A limit pin 107on bracket 99 operates within an opening 108 on plates 101. A switch 109detects presence of glass against member 89 and transmits such signalpneumatically by way of means 110 to a logic control (not shown).

The far side locating assemblies 79 and 80 each have the engagement nosewheel on member 124 mounted on an axis which is vertically disposed, theaxis being journalled in a bracket (extension 1180) which lies in aplane slightly above the nose wheel. the bracket being movably mountedupon an adjustable arm (block 118 on rods 119). An air cylinder 121 ismounted on the end of the arm for purposes of actuating the bracketbetween two positions of linear movement, approximately A of an inchapart. The locator assemblies are adjustable in two directions.

In FIGS. 11-13, the construction of the rear locator assemblies 79 and80 is shown in detail. Each assembly has a slide block 113 adapted to beadjustably carried on the t-slotted bar 73. Wing portions 1l3b of theblock have a rib fitting into slot 112; portions ll3b also have openings116 receiving t-fasteners 117 for selectively locking the block at adesired location (as indicated by pointer against scale 127, the pointeris secured by fastener 114 to portion 111%). Block 113 has an uprightplate 113C and bosses 113d rising upwardly from horizontal portion 113a.A movable block 118 (carrying the template engaging member 124) isslidably supported on plate ll3c by extension rods 119 (here four innumber) received in aligned openings in the plate 113C and in the bosses113d. The block 118 is actuated for movement by a pneumatic cylinder121; the piston of the cylinder is threadably engaged at 122 in theblock 118. A horizontal extension 118a of block 118 carries pin 123 forrotatably supporting wheel or member 124 in the appropriate plane forengaging the edge of the template 16. The sliding movement of block 1 18is limited by stop pins 125 having a surface 125a engageable by surface126 of block 118.

The downstream side of the template is located with a locator assembly78 also having a 54 inch stroke or movement to a positive position. Asquare-faced nylon nose block is carried on a journal pin 136 in abracket (137 and 139) extending thereover, the bracket being movable forinward and outward adjustment. The bracket is supported upon on aplurality of extension rods 141 and guide rods 142, the outside guiderods have stops to limit the linear movement of the bracket to apredetermined distance. The stop surfaces 144 can be changed byadjusting the threaded portions 143 of rods 142 relative to surface 145.A centrally located air piston 146 is utilized to provide the stroke.The locator assembly is carried on longitudinal and transverselyadjustable tracks, one track being determined primarily by the extensionrods 141, the other or lower track being defined by a t-shaped bar 74. Adepending member 134 is effective to slide within the lower; a u-shapedblock 139 is in turn welded to the member 134 for receiving the rods 141and 142. The

depending member 134 is locked in a selected position on bar 74 byt-shaped fasteners 131 received in slots 132 and extending throughopenings 133.

The presence of glass cutting defects causing the engagement wheel 135not to be properly stroked is sensed by switch 150 having a switchelement 149 which will not be actuated by stop 148. The switch I50 sendsa signal to a central control (not shown). The use of a square-facedwheel 135 is particularly useful to engage pointed or sharply curvededges of the glass template; the locating force will be more effectivelydirected to the edge of the template.

in operation, the lifting plate raises the template to the plane ofguaging, the locators and positioners will have been previously arrangedwithin a general distance of about A of an inch from the edge of thetemplate prior to shifting. If there is lightly attached trim (whichtypically will be attached in large sections), the locator orpositioning assemblies with the nose wheels will serve to applyadditional stress and remove such large attached trim pieces. Trim thatis rigidly attached to the template is sensed by the positioners. Theengaging elements of the assemblies are typically arranged to engagethose points of glass template that will be engaged by edge-holdingassemblies in the grinding apparatus. This insures added mechanicalefficiency.

Thus, the conditions met by the guaging apparatus are: (a) there isprovision to remove lightly attached edge trim from the templates priorto their placement in a grinder, (b) only selected points on theperiphery of the template are necessary for removal of lightly attachedtrim, providing such points can be changed during production to satisfydifferent cutting arrangements, and (c) trim that is rigidly attached tothe template must be sensed by this equipment to prevent damage to thegrinder. Trim is sensed at the unload station where the template can beprevented from placement in the grinder if necessary. A broken outsection of the template, which does not coincide with the areas ofcontact made by the locators in the grinder, is of no concern and issensed by this equipment since this will not affect the grinder and canbe passed through the process to be culled out at an inspection station.

We claim:

1. A grinding apparatus with provision for preevaluation andpre-conditioning of glass templates, comprising:

a. first means for moving and supporting glass brackets along a linearpath, said means having a continuous porous flexible membrane with oneside for supporting and conveying said glass brackets to a handling andseparating station, said brackets having been previously cut and severedto define a glass template and glass trim,

b. second means having a support for revolving a glass template about apivot spaced from said linear path,

c. third means effective to pre-evaluate and precondition said glasstemplates at a station adjacent said linear path, said pre-evaluationand preconditioning means having selectively movable elements for actingagainst a side of said belt opposite from which said template and trimare supported, said movable elements being effective to deform said beltupwardly in locations immediately beneath the template for therebypromoting a raised position of the template out of the plain of thetrim, said pre-evaluation and pre-conditioning means further having adevice in said raised plane for sensing the presence of unwantedattached trim at least at three locations about said template periphery,said device being programmed to automatically shift said template to apredetermined position in said raised plane if no unwanted trim isdetected, said pre-evaluation and pre-conditioning means having controlseffective to de-energize said third means if said device senses rigidlyclinging glass trim at any of said three locations on said template andalso to de-energize said third means if broken voids in the peripheryare sensed at any of said three locations,

d. fourth means having a robot for mechanically and automaticallycarrying said raised template to said rotary support, said fourth meanshaving a control effective to de-energize said robot if broken voids arepresent in said glass template interior from the edge contour of saidtemplate, and

e. grinding means effective to continuously bring abrasive materialagainst said template periphery as said template is moved by said rotarysupport, said grinding means having a control effective to sense thepresence of rigidly clinging glass trim at the edge of said templatewhich were not sensed by said third means.

2. The grinding apparatus as in claim I, in which the control elementfor said robot means which is effective to sense the presence of voidsat the interior of said template, said control element is in partcomprised of vacuum elements which are incapable of holding a vacuumgrip on said template due to the presence of said voids.

3. The grinding apparatus as in claim 1, in which the control for saidthird means which is effective to sense the presence of rigidly clingingtrim pieces on said template edge is comprised of automatically movablecontact arms effective to move to a predetermined position adjacent thetemplate edge in said plane except as interrupted by the presence ofsuch rigidly clinging ll'lm.

* w a m

1. A grinding apparatus with provision for pre-evaluation andpre-conditioning of glass templates, comprising: a. first means formoving and supporting glass brackets along a linear path, said meanshaving a continuous porous flexible membrane with one side forsupporting and conveying said glass brackets to a handling andseparating station, said brackets having been previously cut and severedto define a glass template and glass trim, b. second means having asupport for revolving a glass template about a pivot spaced from saidlinear path, c. third means effective to pre-evaluate and pre-conditionSaid glass templates at a station adjacent said linear path, saidpre-evaluation and pre-conditioning means having selectively movableelements for acting against a side of said belt opposite from which saidtemplate and trim are supported, said movable elements being effectiveto deform said belt upwardly in locations immediately beneath thetemplate for thereby promoting a raised position of the template out ofthe plain of the trim, said pre-evaluation and pre-conditioning meansfurther having a device in said raised plane for sensing the presence ofunwanted attached trim at least at three locations about said templateperiphery, said device being programmed to automatically shift saidtemplate to a predetermined position in said raised plane if no unwantedtrim is detected, said preevaluation and pre-conditioning means hvaingcontrols effective to de-energize said third means if said device sensesrigidly clinging glass trim at any of said three locations on saidtemplate and also to de-energize said third means if broken voids in theperiphery are sensed at any of said three locations, d. fourth meanshaving a robot for mechanically and automatically carrying said raisedtemplate to said rotary support, said fourth means having a controleffective to deenergize said robot if broken voids are present in saidglass template interior from the edge contour of said template, and e.grinding means effective to continuously bring abrasive material againstsaid template periphery as said template is moved by said rotarysupport, said grinding means having a control effective to sense thepresence of rigidly clinging glass trim at the edge of said templatewhich were not sensed by said third means.
 2. The grinding apparatus asin claim 1, in which the control element for said robot means which iseffective to sense the presence of voids at the interior of saidtemplate, said control element is in part comprised of vacuum elementswhich are incapable of holding a vacuum grip on said template due to thepresence of said voids.
 3. The grinding apparatus as in claim 1, inwhich the control for said third means which is effective to sense thepresence of rigidly clinging trim pieces on said template edge iscomprised of automatically movable contact arms effective to move to apredetermined position adjacent the template edge in said plane exceptas interrupted by the presence of such rigidly clinging trim.